Gallery: 15 things you can do in Nicaragua for under $5

Alanna Mager, Handout03.01.2012

Looking to have a laugh in Nicaragua? Don’t want to spend too much money doing it. Read no further.

Alanna Mager
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1. Visiting the Cathedral of León: Also known as the Real e Insigne Basilica Catedral de León Nicaragua, it’s the largest cathedral in Central America and one of the most known in the Americas due to its Baroque style of architecture. Also, it’s free to check out during the day.Alanna Mager
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2. If you’re feeling a little bit intrepid and happen to have an extra dollar lying around, be sure to access the roof of the Cathedral of Leon to get an amazing view of the city. As you can tell from this picture, it’s a pretty incredible experience.Alanna Mager
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If the last picture didn't sell you on it, my reaction to being on the roof should seal the deal.Alanna Mager
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3. Prior to the Sandinista Revolution, the Somoza family had ruled the country for just over four decades and from what I could gather from the locals, they did very little to help improve the lives of Nicaraguans. If you find yourself in Leon, be sure to check out the Museum of the Revolution where entry is less than $5.Alanna Mager
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4. Relaxing at the beach: This goes without saying, if you’re a Canadian, the first thing you’ll probably want to do when you arrive in Nicaragua is check out one of their many beaches. If you’re looking for a great spot to surf (definitely not pictured here), head up to the beach town of Poneloya. WARNING: Before jumping into the waves at Poneloya, make sure your swimming trunks are tied up tightly.Alanna Mager
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5. Pool hopping: Located near the town of Tilgue, El Ojo de Agua consists of spring-fed waters captured in two natural, stone pools set in the middle of a colourful botanical garden. For $2 you can spend the day there while drinking straight from coconuts.Alanna Mager
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6. Taking a leisurely stroll: It’s probably not advised to strap on an Ipod and walk aimlessly around the streets of Managua at mid-night, but other than that, most cities and villages are excellent to explore on foot or bicycle.Alanna Mager
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7. Feeding monkeys: Once you spend $1 on a loaf of bread, why not feed some white-faced Capuchin monkeys with it? You’ll find this type of monkey extremely friendly but always somewhat paranoid of human presence. I wonder why? While these types of monkeys are in abundance, so are mantled howler monkeys, which are far less friendly. Trust me... So if feeding feral animals is your thing, do a bit of research beforehand and know how to spot the difference.Alanna Mager
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8. Drinking: An individual beer should cost you about $1 at the most. I was told not to drink the water, rather only beer should I get thirsty. I’m not sure if this is necessarily true, but who am I to question authority?Alanna Mager
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9. Boating to Isla Ometepe: If you’re going to check out Ometepe, I’d suggest you take the boat from Rivas which costs $3 and only takes an hour or so. There is also boat service from Granada, but it takes roughly two more hours, not to mention that it's a much smaller boat which has a pretty solid reputation for serving up a rocky ride.Alanna Mager
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10. Eating street meat: If you grow tired of eating rice, beans, and plantains in Nicaragua (which more than likely will be served at most restaurants you visit), then try out some street food. From tacos, burritos, to baho, a lot of street vendors serve up exceptional tasty, super-inexpensive cuisine.Alanna Mager
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11: Laguna de Apoyo: Lagoon hopping, though it may sound a bit pretentious, doesn’t have to be an expensive activity. Pictured here is me reading a book in a lagoon which I accessed via mini-bus. While mini-buses are often completely crowded and not air-conditioned, they tend to be the local way of transportation and thus, are widely inexpensive.Alanna Mager
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12. Playing sports: Nicaraguans absolutely love baseball. But if you’re anything like me, chances are that you’re afraid of the ball hitting you. To that end, in order to get your fill of sporting activity while keeping safe, join one of the soccer games on the streets (Note: My opposition looks a lot fiercer than the photo would suggest).Alanna Mager
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13. Masaya Volcano: To get up to the Masaya Volcano outside of Masaya, you’ll probably want to take a cab which should cost no more than $5 from the entrance. Once at the top of the crater, be sure to watch your footing as there’s not really any rules, regulations, or safety measures in place.Alanna Mager
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Since the Santiago creator emits a large amount of sulfur dioxide gas, you probably won’t want to send more than 10 minutes looking down into it. On a side, if there was ever a place where you could release a bit of gas yourself and not get blamed for it, this may very well be the best spot on earth for doing so.Alanna Mager
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If my reaction to being near the top of the Masaya Volcano doesn’t sell you on visiting it, I really don’t know what else will.Alanna Mager
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I don't mean to belabour the point here, but there aren't really any rules, regulations, or safety measures in place at the top of the Masaya Volcano. Anyone coming from a litigious society will be horrified at just how easy it is to fall right in.Alanna Mager
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14. Santiago creator: Once your lungs are sufficiently filled with sulphur from the volcano, you can venture to the the neighbouring Santiago creator (the cost is already built into the admission). Underneath the creator you can even check out a bat cave. If bats aren’t your thing, I’d suggest talking to one of the park rangers about the parks history, volcanic activity, and most importantly, hat sizes.Alanna Mager
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Don’t be alarmed, I can assure you that we EVENTUALLY gave the park ranger his hat back.Alanna Mager
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15. Riding around in a horse and carriage: Getting from point A to point B in fashion (to use the word loosely) should cost you next to nothing. An average horse and carriage ride should only set you back $1 to $2. That said, much like any service you might want to request while in Nicaragua, be sure to negotiate a price BEFOREHAND or risk getting bamboozled afterward.Alanna Mager
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While I’ve suggested 15 different things that you can do while in Nicaragua for less than $5, the list is really endless. Go see for yourself.Alanna Mager
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